William Donald Hensley, Sr. “Brother Don”

Mr. William Donald Hensley, Sr. “Brother Don”, age 94, made that wonderful cross into Heaven on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at his residence.  His loved ones were by his side.  Born in Asheville, North Carolina on August 08, 1928, he was the son of the late Winford and Nettie Foster Hensley.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Hunter Hale; three sisters, Thelma, Frances, and Evelyn; and four brothers, Wayne, Dash, Jack, and Roger.

Following many years of service, Brother Don proudly served and retired from the United States Navy, United States Army, and the United States Air Force, where he served as a radiologist technician at many locations around the world, and was a World War II veteran.  A member of The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), he gladly volunteered 2,000 hours at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.  Brother Don was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. In his life he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, bus ministry and in the choir.

He is survived by his loving wife of 11 ½ years, Ann Siddall Hensley, who he loved dearly; one son, William “Bill” Hensley, Jr. and his wife, Jeanette; two stepchildren, LuAnn Gowan Petitt and Ray Gowan; three grandchildren, David Hensley, Michael Hensley, and Melanie Hensley; ten great grandchildren; one brother, Kenneth Hensley and his wife, Sherry; several nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Sandy, Helen, Marj and Karen; and a cat, Katie.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 01, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church in Hendersonville with Pastor Aaron Pryor and Pastor Steve Rhinehardt officiating.  Interment, with military honors, will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service, at the church.